This summer I worked as a Community Relations Intern in the very extensive marketing department of United Supermarkets. This opportunity provided me with the chance to meet various figures in the Lubbock area and build new relationships. I truly discovered the importance of connections in public relations. In order to accomplish the various initiatives of the company, it was helpful to have people in the community who supported us.
During this internship I was tasked with handling various events and the logistics associated with each one. I began by managing United Supermarkets' “100 Days of Giving” to where $1,000 was gifted to charities for 100 straight days to celebrate United Supermarkets’ 100th Anniversary. This included arranging 100 check presentations between various stores and receiving charities, as well as inviting media outlets to attend. Overall, this was a hugely successful series of events as it celebrated a milestone year and gave to deserving charities.
I was given a lead role in managing the 25th Annual Jackie Pierce Charity Golf Classic. This included team management, golf course preparation and food arrangements. As the tournament is shaping up to have close to 500 golfers, it is a huge task but has been fulfilling in that I feel I have accomplished something. In addition, the money raised through team sponsorships is donated to area United Way chapters, United Supermarkets' main charity donation recipient.
Through my experiences, I found that by constantly looking for ways to do jobs better and more efficiently, I was able to improve my personal skills and overall productivity. As this internship required constantly working on projects, I benefitted by searching for faster methods to completing tasks. I enjoyed the overall fast-paced nature of the work as each day was different and required creativity and thought. I also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work independently on projects and events as the end result was a reflection of my hard work. Overall, this internship has been an incredible experience, and I will always apply the skills I learned in the future of my career.